Forum: Story Discussion and Feedback

Building a modern empire

jhnmakii2nd2016-04-21 2:04:18am

Does anyone have a list of stories wherein sex is not the main focus but more on development?

I think this theme most definitely shows up in do-over stories wherein the protagonists would advance tech by leaps and bounds, i read do-over stories because i find these parts of the story very interesting.

I've probably read almost all do-over stories, like time, hindsight, etc..

Another possibility where this kind of theme would pop up would be mind control stories but it's hard finding one where the focus of the story isn't all about sex.

There are several that fall into that category, and they're not just limited to do-over and MC stories. Generally, your best bet (for stories that focus on story development rather than sex) is to bookmark your favorite authors, and then read some of their other stories rather than searching for more Do-Over tales.

I've already listed mine in another thread, they both deal with building empires. In one, they're creating a pseudo-religious organization, in the other they're rebuilding society. Though again, my other stories fit into the 'more story than sex' category.

By the way, both these series aren't about amassing power but focus on the protagonists trying to help others. In fact, in one they try to hide the organization from others to escape detection, and in the other they spend most of their time convincing others that they're better off joining them, rather than simply parading their obvious power.

In my story Finding Home sex is an important part at the start of the story because I use it to show the main characters attitude to life in general and how his attitude changes, then it all but vanishes from the story - which is the bulk of the story.

I feel great disappointment whenever i read any stories with interesting premise that has limitless potential be wasted purely on sex.

It's a problem with never ending stories, in particular. In those cases, you need to keep the story going. You can either do that by making the story increasingly extreme (the bad guys get more evil and threatening), or you pop in a new sexual conquest--usually more extreme each time.

On the other hand, if you don't focus on new sexual conquests, stories typically decrease the sexual content once a relationship is established (i.e. once the build up is completed) and the story focuses on the broader story issues.

Building the Empire is interesting. Running the Empire (being Emperor) is kind of boring. Washington the Revolutionary War General is more interesting than Washington the President. How he got to be General is even more fun. Struggle is interesting. Administration is counting paperclips.

For example in a mind control story, why waste time slaving cheerleaders when you can just do a wealthy ceo.

Depends on the mind controller's motivation. Not all are out for world conquest.

A wealthy CEO would tend to be older, less attractive, and male. Why would a teen male mind controller be interested in such a target?

"That would be even more interesting and could span from 5-15 chapters and therefore be more satisfying conquest."

Actually sexual conquest could be done that way as well. Subtly altering the victim's perceptions of the mind controller over an extended period, avoiding sudden changes in behavior that can bring attention from friends and relatives of the victim or even the authorities.

There are also stories where the main character encourages his female conquests to achieve more than they previously thought possible; the empire proceeds from the cumulative accomplishments. Sometimes this is done via mind control, sometimes through a kind of sexual liberation and encouragement. To some extent, the following all do that: Arlene and Jeff, already mentioned Fresh Start and A New Past, many of Morgan's stories, several of El Sol's stories, and Castle in the Sand (Deana Johns).

There are always exception, women ceo or rich women that aren't simply trophy wives, this is where it is vastly interesting, because mostly they have strong personalities and are much rarer than the typical 'cheerleader'.

And i don't want to sound sexist but conquering such woman are vastly more satisfying than thawing the ice princess in every story.

I agree Majestic is well worth reading, as its score demonstrates it is one of the top 50 stories on the site. It has been a while since I read it, but are you sure there is no sex content? Clearly it isn't a stroke story, but the major (male) characters have girlfriends and wives, and occasionally casual sex with female characters who are neither. If there were no sex, perhaps it would also be on Fine Stories, but it isn't.

May I suggest the "Greenies / A perfect World" series of stories by Al Steiner. http://storiesonline.net/universe/214/greenies-a-perfect-world
Ken Frazier is killed in the line of duty, his body is frozen and a great great ....grand daughter revives him on Mars. This is the story of the development of Mars, it's breakaway from Earth's control and its technological development. AFAIR there could be a dozen paragraphs devoted to sex!
Scores are in the high eights and nines - worth reading (Imho)